There are some basic things to know about comps:
1. They must be newer books. That means pubbed in 2017 or later.
2. They need to be by authors for whom the book was a debut or Book #2.
Comparing yourself as a debut to #17 in a series isn't effective.
Here are several other tips:
1. It's ok to compare your book to one on the agent's list. This can lead to some pretty hilarious problems if you haven't read the books. The only person who knows my list better than I do are the writers of the books themselves. I'll know if you fuck up.
2. You don't need an exact match for time period. Yes you can compare your historical fantasy set in the Ottoman Empire to historical fantasy set in the British Raj.
3. You need to stay in your own lane. Don't comp your middle grade novel to anything adult.
Don't comp your narrative to a graphic novel.
The purpose of comps is to give us an idea of where the book goes on the shelf and what to expect. If your comp does that, it's effective.
Question:
A great comp title for my current WIP, in a world with no need for #OwnVoices, would be When Dimple Met Rishi (with magic). That world doesn't exist, and I'm not Indian (and my WIP doesn't have any main character from India).Would it be inappropriate to use that title?
8 comments:
I have to read more books. My comps are starting to expire. Also, one of the new books I am writing, I am not sure where it fits exactly - it's a modern take on the Billy Goats Gruff without any goats but lots of trolls. In Brooklyn and Glasgow. I will take reading recommendations so I can get some proper comps.
Very good information to know! Thanks for the post.
I've never heard the "comp only a debut or Book #2" advice before. We aren't supposed to go past any author's second book? or second book in a series?
This doesn't quite narrow down the equation enough for me. I want to know if it's plot, setting or tone I should primarily be finding comps for. I guess the answer is "preferably all three" but... which should I focus on?
(Its hard to find comps that fit comfortably for the somewhat peculiar things I've written. "It's like this... but more light-hearted and involving giant flying beasts." "It's like that... but zombies happen. " Like, uh, well, then it's nothing like this or that. So, uh. Um. Am I overthinking this??)
When I use comps, I try to narrow down why I'm using the comp by using phrasing like:
This novel is similar in tone to When Otters Fly.
Or:
This novel is similar in structure to The Plot Thickens.
I'll also use this phrasing: "This novel will appeal to readers of Very Appealing Book."
I hope these are acceptable ways to use a comp.
Caroline (second-guessing herself since 1999)
Lennon Faris, I imagine it's because the sales of book 3 and beyond in a series is influenced by the fans established by the first book (or two). Since we're querying a stand-alone book or the first in a series, we need comps that would indicate similar sales.
Being book 1 or book 10 by an author wouldn't change where your book gets shelved in a store, though. But I get it would change expectations of success.
This is an earnest question, not snark. How on earth would comping to an author not of your ethnicity be offensive? Wouldn't it be more offensive to believe Indian authors write one way, white authors write another way, etc? I don't understand this at all.
NLiu, I'd focus on the comps that have been the most successful. Obviously, they have to fit your list of legit comps. But you want agents (and then publishers) to associate your book with the successful one that's already out there.
My book is about the history of a rock music venue in Greenwich Village that played a crucial role in pop culture. I had compiled a list of 8 or so comps and then narrowed down to 3 (I think). One I chose to include is a fairly successful book about the history of a famous street in the nearby East Village (St. Marks Is Dead). In my proposal, I mentioned that I'd take a similar approach to that one and that both are about the rich history of specific parts of downtown NYC.
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